Sweetened with coconut sugar and maple syrup and packed with fiber-rich oats, nuts and seeds, this clustery chocolate granola won't last long!
Granola is one of my favorite foods.
You'll know that because I've shared quite a few granola recipes on the blog over the years, including this Basic Vegan Granola, this Healthy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Granola, a unique crunchy tahini granola, and my sister-in-law's favorite granola recipe.
I love granola because it's crunchy, sweet and makes for a hearty breakfast on its own or a fun topping for pancakes and muffins.
Today I'm sharing with you my all-time favorite granola recipe, which is this Dark Chocolate Granola Recipe!
Whenever the words "chocolate" and "granola" are found in the same sentence, you know I'm a happy girl.
I hope you love this granola recipe as much as we do!
Let me show you how to make it!
Equipment
Making granola at home thankfully doesn't require much equipment. In general, all you'll need is a large mixing bowl, measuring cups and spoons, a spatula or spoon to mix everything together, a baking sheet and a silicone baking mat, if desired.
For this granola recipe, I also use a saucepan to melt the coconut oil, maple syrup and cocoa powder together. However if your coconut oil is already in liquid form, you won't need a saucepan!
Ingredients
This dark chocolate granola only requires 8 ingredients, many of which I'm sure you already have on hand! I'll list out everything you'll need below:
- Coconut oil
- Maple syrup
- Cocoa powder
- Rolled oats
- Nuts and/or seeds
- Coconut sugar
- Sea salt
- Mix-ins of choice (optional)
I love to use a mix of different nuts and seeds, but to make this recipe even quicker, simply use just one of your favorite nuts or seeds. I'd definitely recommend walnuts, pecans or slivered almonds!
Is Granola Gluten-Free?
Thankfully, it is really easy to find and make gluten-free granola as granola is often based around naturally gluten-free ingredients such as oats, nuts and seeds.
However, to ensure that the granola you make at home is 100% gluten-free, make sure that you buy certified gluten-free rolled oats.
If you purchase your granola from the store, simply check the packaging to make sure the label "gluten-free" is included on the ingredients or front cover.
Is Granola Vegan?
Yes! Granola is often vegan.
However, if you are a strict, ethical vegan, you will need to watch out for honey as it can often be one of the sweeteners used in store-bought granola.
To make vegan granola at home, simply use a liquid sweetener such as maple syrup or agave instead of honey.
If purchasing your granola from the store, read the ingredients label to make sure that honey hasn't been used. Alternatively, you can look for the word "vegan" on the front cover of the packaging!
How to Make Chocolate Granola
Preparing this chocolate granola recipe takes just minutes. Then your oven does the rest of the work! You can follow the step-by-step instructions below:
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F / 175°C and line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat. Set aside.
Step 2: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the cocoa powder, maple syrup and coconut oil. Allow the ingredients to warm through until the coconut oil is liquid. Whisk well to combine.
Step 3: While the oil is melting, in a large mixing bowl combine all of the dry ingredients, from the rolled oats to the sea salt.
Step 4: Pour the melted chocolate mixture overtop of the oat and nut mixture and stir well until all the oats, nuts and seeds have been well coated in the chocolate sauce.
Step 5: Pour the granola onto your lined baking sheet and use a spatula to press it down into an even layer.
Step 6: Bake the granola for 10 minutes. Remove the pan and flip or stir the granola. Press it down again until level and flat before baking it for another 8-12 minutes or until fragrant.
Step 7: Allow the granola to cool completely on the sheet pan before breaking it into clusters and adding in your mix-ins of choice!
The Key to Making Granola with Clusters
Who doesn't like granola laden with large, crunchy clusters?!
Well, creating those magical clusters is easier than you may think.
My top tips for creating clustery granola are:
- Include a fat source: I've seen granola recipes that coat their oats, nuts and seeds in low-fat ingredients such as applesauce, but that won't achieve the crispy clusters you desire. You need to include a fat source such as an oil or nut butter.
- Be patient: As your granola is cooling, the sugars in the granola will harden and stick together creating those oh-so-loved clusters! If you try to stir or store your granola too quickly, you'll prevent those clusters from forming.
Storage
This homemade granola, like many other homemade granolas, can be stored at room temperature for up to a month...if it lasts that long!
Alternatively, you can also store granola in a freezer-friendly bag in the freezer for around 3 months. Just allow it to come to room temperature before enjoying.
6 Ways to Eat Granola
There are so many ways to enjoy granola!
- With fruit and chilly almond milk
- As a topping for pancakes,
- As a topping for baked goods (muffins, quick breads etc) with a nut better
- On its own (like trail mix)
- Sprinkle it on top of yogurt
- Mix it with other cereals for added texture and crunch.
The possibilities are endless!
I hope you enjoy this chocolate granola recipe as much as we do!
If you make it and like it, be sure to leave a star rating by clicking on the stars in the recipe card. Then share the recipe with your friends!
Dark Chocolate Granola Recipe
Sweetened with coconut sugar and maple syrup and packed with fiber-rich oats, nuts and seeds, this clustery dark chocolate granola won't last long!
Ingredients
- ½ cup coconut oil
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ⅓ cup cocoa powder
- 4 cups rolled oats
- 1 ½ cups nuts and seeds, chopped if necessary
- ¼ cup coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- Optional: ½ cup mix-ins (chocolate chips, craisins, coconut chips etc.)
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F / 175°C and line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat. Set aside.
2. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the coconut oil, maple syrup and cocoa powder. Allow the ingredients to warm through until the coconut oil is liquid. Whisk well to combine.
3. While the oil is melting, in a large mixing bowl combine all of the dry ingredients, from the rolled oats to the sea salt.
4. Pour the melted chocolate mixture overtop of the oat and nut mixture and stir well until all the oats, nuts and seeds have been well coated in the chocolate sauce.
5. Pour the granola onto your lined baking sheet and use a spatula to press it down into an even layer.
6. Bake the granola for 10 minutes. Remove the pan and flip or stir the granola. Press it down again until level and flat before baking it for another 8-12 minutes or until fragrant. Watch it carefully towards the end to make sure it doesn't burn!
7. Allow the granola to cool completely on the sheet pan before breaking it into clusters, adding in your mix-ins, and storing it in an airtight container.
Notes
The key to clustery granola is to allow it to cool completely before touching it. As it cools, it will harden together into wonderful clusters!
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Nutrition Information
Yield
16Serving Size
½ cupAmount Per Serving Calories 261Total Fat 15gSaturated Fat 7gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 7gCholesterol 0mgSodium 238mgCarbohydrates 27gFiber 4gSugar 10gProtein 6g
Nutrition information is a rough estimate provided by Nutrionix and should be used for informational purposes only.
Riya Agrawal says
Very interesting blog. I would definitely recommend this to my family and friends. I have been using Dark Chocolate Granola from True Elements - a clean label food brand as a breakfast option and they are really tasty and healthy. Thank you.
Faith VanderMolen says
Thanks for your support Riya!